Jungle Teen Center

The current program includes the Jungle Teen Center, TBIZ – Teen Business Innovation Zone which encourages sound work ethics, and the community service program, Teen Leaders. The program is for pre-teens and teens grades 6 thru 12. The Jungle Teen Center is a place for social recreation, learning, and most of all; it’s a place to call their own – “for teens, by teens.” Located in the basement of the Milton Moose Family Center, it is funded through donations and United Way grants. The program is an offshoot of the original Teen Canteen founded in 1945.

The Jungle Teen Center offers a substance-free, well supervised space and activities while offering alternatives to unhealthy and destructive behaviors. Advisors and Teen Leaders serve as role models, mentors, offering supportive listening, guidance, and information to teens. They can give referrals to teens in need of services and are in touch with schools and local organizations to provide services available to teens.

The goal of programs at the teen center is to increase the ability of teens to make healthy choices by exploring different interest areas, building communication skills, strengthening self confidence, develop team building and leadership skills, and making connections to mentors.

Researchers have identified building blocks of healthy development that help teens grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. These assets fall into the categories of:

Support – Teens need care and love from family and friends, and positive environments from organizations and institutions.

Empowerment – Teens need to feel valued and be seen as a contributor in their community.

Boundaries and Expectations – Teens need to know what is expected from them and what is acceptable and not acceptable.

Constructive Use of Time – Teens need constructive and enriching opportunities for growth.

Commitment to Learning – Teens need a lifelong interest in learning new things, making new discoveries, and exploring new topics.